Process for forming panels in sheets



Dec. 22, 1931. A. ANDERSON;

PROCESS FOR FORMING PANELS-IN SHEETS Filed May 8, 1930 A AYE; z/ u firad 9nd soru I 7 separate set of dies for each panel size and Patented Dec. 22, 1931 v UNITED STATES ANDERSON, 1OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

AssIGnoR T MORTON manurnc'runme 7, COMPANY, ACORZPORATION -F ILLINOIS 1 .rnocnss .Fon FORMING IAn'ELsm .sH-En'rs Application filed my 3, 1930. serial name-44.

My inventioncovers' an improved process for maklng recessed or raised panels 1n metal sheets for use in'the-construction of metal doors, partitions, or theliker v V In the construction of doors, partitions or the like it very desirable to have paneling to simulate the paneling in wooden doors or partitions. The procedure heretofore resorted to for forming such paneling is cumbersome and expensive as each panel is formed with a single operation of a die structure. The procedure thus requires a where the paneling is large the dies are heavy, cumbersome and expensive. Further- I more, the procedure requires comparatively large presses.

An important object of the invention is to provide a simple process requiring only a few and extremely simple die elements by means of which a metal section for defining a panel maybe progressively deflected in the metal sheet in which the panel is to be formed. I a

A further object of the invention is to provide procedure for assuring sharp and well defined corners for the panels formed by the dies, this being accomplished by punching holes in the metal sheet for defining the corners of the panel to be formed and for affording clearance and relief spaces for-the metal at the corners so that this metal will not crimp or fold but will forma'smooth Well-defined and sharp corner.

Another feature of the invention involves the refilling of the corner openings with pieces of metal welded or otherwise secured, to entirely and smoothly refill the holes.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a panelled metal sheet,

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on plane IIII of Figure 1, showing the die members in front elevation after having formed the corresponding side of the panel,

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on plane IIIIII of Figure 1 showing the relief openings,

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3 showing the openings refilled, and

Figure 5 is an end view of the die members of Figure 2 between.

therein a'large lower panel 11 a nd anum- "berof smaller upper panels 12. fhis sheet may forrn one side of a door orpartiti'on,a sheet such-as shown and a companion sheet being properly spaced and secured at their edgesto form the do 1 unit or a structure. l

or, partition, or other jReferring to Figures 2 andf3, the lower die/member 13 may-be bar of'sutfioient :length forjthe longest -sideof the largest panel. Thebar has'the-upper Side or sur- 'face 14 for receiving the metal plate, and a lower parallel "surface 15 for *receiving the depressed section "16 whic'h'forms the p'anel.

The surface 17 intermediate the steps 1 1- and 15 'is inclined, usually at eto", to Y receive the sectio'n18 for forming a-side of thepanell Forthe upper die members 19 die'bars are used "of lengths corresponding :to the :lengthsof the panel sides to be formed. "For example, to form the large panel 11, 'there would be an upper die ba'rof a length cor- :responding to that of the short=vertical sides 'ofthe panel, and another bar having a length corresponding to i the I lengths I of the 1 upper and lower horizontal sides of the panel. The

,upper die bars areshaped to fit the lower i diebar 13 and each has a horizontal under- SUIYIEZL'CQLQOfOI engagin the'top ofthe metal plate 10, an under-,sur ace21 belowi'the surface:: for engaging the :S6Gtl011116 to be deflected,fand an intermediate undersurface 1 22 at an angle of for .form'ingthe side section 18 of the panel. The dieimembers 19 are ofa length to overlap-the deflected (panel a distance as shown .inFigure. 2, and .inwardly oftheends; they arecut ,away at 45 to provide thesurfacesf23 for engaging with or defining the end'sof' the panel sides which extend at right angles fromthe side being formed. For example, Figure 2 showsa panel side between the diagonal surfaces 1'7 and 22 of the die m'embers 13 and 19respectively, whilevthe diagonal corners 23 of the upper diei-member 'will engage with and hold the a being formed, theintermediate diagonal section l8'being formed and the; formed plate" thereif the corners of the panel during forming thereof and to provide clearance in order to prevent buckling, folding, or other distortion of the metal adjacent to the panel corners holes 24 are punched in the metal sheet before the panel is formed, these holes being spaced to define the corners of the panels and may be of various shapes, as for example triangular, rectangular, circular, or otherwise; When the panel is formed its corners merge into these holes, and the holes are then refilled by inserting therein pieces 25 of metal which are welded or brazed into position, and then by grinding or filing the outer faces of the pieces are smoothed down to be flush with the surface of the plate.

To form the upper die members 19, long such holes to form one at a time the sides for defining the panel.

3. The process of forming a panel in a metal sheet which consists in first punching holes through the sheet to define the corners of the panel and to form a clearance and relief spaces for deflected metal, then by separate die operations deflecting narrow sections of the metal between said holes to form the sides surrounding the deflected panel section, and then refilling said holes.

4. The process of forming a panel in a metal sheet which consists in punching holes through the sheet to define the location of the panel and to afford clearance and relief spaces, then depressing the section of the sheet between said holes to form the panel, and then refilling the holes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois. 1

ARVID ANDERSON.

stock bars of suitable metal may be planed or cut to form the die'surfaces 20, 21 and 22, and then the bars may be cut into lengths suitable for the panels to be formed, the corners of the lengths being then cut away to leave the diagonal end die surfaces 23.

The lower or female die member 13, instead of being a continuous long bar, may be built up on the press of shorter sections to the length required for the desired die operation.

By means of my process, the use of heavy cumbersome dies is avoided as the same work can be efiiciently accomplished by the lighter and less expensive die elements, and lighter presses can be used.

Having described my invention, I desire it understood that although I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred embodiments of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited but only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as follows:

1. The process of forming a panel in a metal sheet which consists in first punching holes in the sheet to define the corners of the panel, and then by separate die operations successively depressing the metal between the holes to form the sides which define the panel.

2. The method of forming a panel in a metal sheet which consists in first punching clearance and release holes through the sheet to define the corners of the panel, then by separate steps deflecting the metal between 

